Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Sivamurugan Pandian said the Myanmar and Arab experience would have an effect on how Malaysians vote, but mostly in the urban areas.
He said he did not expect BN to lose in the coming election. “It will remain very much a status quo. Maybe the changes can happen in the 14th or 15th election if BN does not change more drastically by then.”
He said the BN leadership at the top level had changed and that this was most apparent in Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. However, he lamented that since 2008, the two rival coalitions had focused so much on each other’s weaknesses that they had neglected explaining their policies.
“They are focusing on character assassination,” he said, “and voters now see these things as pointless".

Political observer Sivamurugan Pandian said Barisan Nasional (BN) may continue to helm the government after the country’s much-awaited 13th general election.
His main reason is that neutrals or fence-sitters were generally unsatisfied with the performance of both BN and Pakatan.
As much as they desire change, he said these neutrals would also punish non-performance and non-delivery of the incumbent elected representatives and state governments.
Their votes – crucial and decisive – can go either way.
There would be some shocking losses and upset victories for both sides,” Sivamurugan, the deputy dean of the school of social sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), told FMT here today.
Fence-sitters are estimated to constitute some 30% to 40% of the electorate
Selection of winnable candidates will be vital for both coalitions.
Delivery and performance of the federal and state governments will be crucial,he said.

I gave a general overview of the upcoming GE without referring to any component parties.